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Rolling Stones unreleased: Almost Hear You Sigh (alternate take)
Written by: Jagger/Richards/Jordan Recorded: AIR Studios, Montserrat, West Indies, March 29-Apr. 1989; Olympic Sound Studios, London, England, May 15-June 29, 1989 (Steel Wheels sessions) Guest musicians: Chuck Leavell and Matt Clifford (keyboards), Luis Jardin (percussion), Sarah Dash, Lisa Fischer and Bernard Fowler (backing vocals), The Kick Horns (brass) (Ref. almost hear you sigh alternate version) *Data taken from Martin Elliott’s book THE ROLLING STONES COMPLETE RECORDING SESSIONS 1962-2012
The origins of Almost Hear You Sigh trace back to Keith Richards’ time in Barbados, long before the track took on its finished form. There, he showed Mick Jagger a new idea he had been shaping, one he compared stylistically to Beast of Burden and believed would suit Mick’s voice perfectly. Keith played it on a classical guitar, giving the early sketch a warm, intimate texture. Matt Clifford and Chuck Leavell added keyboard parts—though Chuck’s contribution came later—and the song gradually began to take shape. Mick altered several lyric lines during this phase, though one change sparked a small disagreement: Keith preferred “lips” while Mick opted for the more provocative “feeling your tongue on mine.” Despite the debate, this moment reflected the collaborative tension that often fueled their strongest material, and it set the groundwork for one of the most emotive ballads of the late Stones era.
Developing the Song and Its Unexpected Role
Although its roots stretch back to Barbados, the song’s actual evolution accelerated during the sessions for Keith Richards’ 1988 solo album Talk Is Cheap. Written by Keith and Steve Jordan, the tune was initially intended for Keith’s project rather than a Rolling Stones record. Talk Is Cheap turned out to be a cohesive, soulful album that helped thaw the icy distance between Mick and Keith. Ironically, just as Keith began promoting the album, Mick called with the idea of getting the Stones back together. Keith’s joking response—“What are you trying to screw me up for?”—captured the surprise and the humor of the moment. But the call eventually led to renewed collaboration, and Almost Hear You Sigh transitioned from solo material into an official Stones track.
Crafting the Final Version
When Mick and Keith reworked the piece for the Stones, they were entering rare territory: collaborating with an outside writer. Before this song, they had only brought in one outsider—Chuck Leavell—for Back to Zero on Dirty Work, a track widely regarded as one of the band’s weakest. In contrast Almost Hear You Sigh allowed Mick to deliver one of his most nuanced performances, showcasing the full breadth of his vocal range. Keith, meanwhile, used the recording as an opportunity to highlight his 1956 Velázquez guitar, sprinkling tasteful solo phrases early in the song and again later.
Bootleg Sighs
Collectors know the track from numerous bootlegs, including The Steel Wheels Sessions, For Your Precious Love, Training Wheels, The Alternate Steel Wheels, and Steel Wheels: The Lost Outtakes, each offering glimpses into its layered development.
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